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Soaring voices in Wellington Opera’s new production
Review by Felicity Wong
It was a sublime performance tonight at the St James Theatre of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. Wellington Opera’s third successful opera is a huge highlight. The tale of love, bullying, murder, death and suicide, is packed full of soaring voices backed by Orchestra Wellington’s top class playing, with Swedish conductor Tobias Ringborg.
Lead character Lucia was sung exquisitely by soprano Emma Pearson. Her lover Edgardo was sung divinely by tenor Oliver Sewell. Both performances were terrific with soaring arias. Lucia is bullied by her brother (Lord Enrico, marvellously sung by Phillip Rhodes), into marrying another man. There’s an extraordinary scene of mental illness, where Lucia sings a duet cadenza with a flute, after she has murdered her new husband, (Arturo, Emanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono).
It’s a tragic psychological opera with beautiful music, great singers and a wall of sound from the chorus.
An absolute delight to be out on the town with such terrific quality opera in Wellington’s splendidly revamped St James. Out on the street were throngs packing the footpaths after enjoying musicians on 5 stages at the Homegrown waterfront festival, and cheering the Black Caps in their test against Sri Lanka. Gorgeous weather and plenty of late night bars.
What a weekend, Wellington – you beautie!
Tremendous thanks to Opera Wellington and director Sara Brodie for the terrific event. Further performances are on Tuesday 21st (6.30pm), Thursday 23rd (7.30pm), and Saturday 25th (7.30pm).
TheatreView: Strong music and performances.
Max Rashbrooke: Stellar performances
Great to see my own reaction is mirrored by the review. So many wonderful young kiwi voices presages great things to come in NZ Opera. And Orchestra Wellington on top form. Special kudos to Karen Batten, in superb form on flute.
Wellington Opera really nailed this opera in its fantastic production. To my mind it was world class and the trio of lead singers (Emma Pearson, Oliver Sewell, and Phillip Rhodes) were outstanding particularly in the mad scene (Emma as Lucia) and the final scene (Oliveras Edgardo). Congratulations to Dame Kerry Prendergast and the entire team at Wellington Opera. This production needs to be seen by big audiences.
It was a wonderful performance. Such beautiful singing.
Do not miss this. Glorious voices and huge drama. Come from
all corners of New Zealand to see this very powerful production.